Computing counter



June 4, 1940- E. A. sLYE y 2,203,109

COMPUTING COUNTER Filed June 17, 193'/ 7 sheets-sheet 1 ,477-0 /vfr June 4, 1940. E. A. SLYE 2,203,109

COMPUTING COUNTER Filed June 17, 1957 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 4, 1940. E. A. SLYE COMPUTING COUNTER Filed June 17, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 ,47- ToP/V Y June 4, '1940. E. A. SLYE 2,203,109

COMPUTING COUNTER June 4, 1940. l E. A. sLYE 2,203,169

COMPUTING COUNTER ,47' TOF/'VE Y June4, 1940. E A. 5| YE 2,203,109

COMPUTING COUNTER Filed June 17, 1937 7 Sheets-Sheet 6 ,4 T TOR/V5 y June 4,` 1940. E. A. sLYE 2,203,109

v l COMPUTING COUNTER Filed June 17, 1937 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 fig Zd Patented June 4, 1940 UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE COIVIPUTING COUNTER Edward A. Slye, East Hartford, Conn., assignor to Veeder-Root Incorporated, a corporation of Connecticut My invention relates to computing counters.

It has among its objects to provide an im.- proved cost and quantity counter for use in'` dispensing gasoline or the like, and adapted to cooperate with a meter and a suitable cost varia-A tor as described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 716,696. A further object of my invention is to provide such an improved 'counter having improved controlling mechanism associated with the reset operating mechanism and of the type described and claimed in my copending application Serial No. 132,275. .Another object is to provide improved controlling mechanism for preventing inaccuracies in the count l5 due to resetting and including improved means for controlling the counter drives and improved means for controlling the number wheels of the several counters which are driven by said drives and the resetting mechanism. Still another object is to provide improved driving connections for the several counters operative during counting and improved reset driving mechanism operative during resetting, whereby these drives are materially improved and simplified. Still further objects of my invention include the provision of improved bodily removable counter units cooperating in an improved manner with these improved counting and resetting drives, as well as the provision of an improved'arrangement of the controlling mechanism and the counting and resetting driving mechanisms relative to one another and having the counting and resetting driving mechanisms disposed in an improved manner on the same side of a supporting frame, whereby, while the several counters are operatively connected to their counting and resetting drives in an improved manner, the several counting mechanisms are readily removable or substitutable as units. A still further object of my invention is to provide such improved removable counting units having improved counting and reset driving connections thereon and improved means for enclosing and protecting the counter 45 wheels While permitting counting and resetting operations thereof and ready access to the enclosed mechanism. Another object is to provide such units having improved shutter mechanism forming a part of the units and removable therewith. Still another object is to provide improved operative connections controlled in an improved manner by the cam of the controlling mechanism and controlling and positively operating the shutters on the several counter units in each direction. These and other objects and advantages of my improved construction will, however, hereinafter more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown for purposes of illustration two embodiments which my invention may assume in practice.

In these drawings:

Figure l is a front elevation of a counter constructed in accordance with my improvements, certain elements being shown in dotted lines through the side of the frame to facilitate illustration; 1 x

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the construction shown in Figure 1; A

Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the structure shown in Figure 1;

Fig. 4 is an end view of the structure shown in Figure 1 as seen from' the left;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Figure 1 but with portions of the frame broken away on each side to show the counter units and the shutter mechanism, the latter being shown in closed position and the 'controlling mechanism being shown in a different position from that shown in Figure 1, i. e. in process of resetting;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view on line 6-6 of Figure 2 and showing with parts of the controlling .mechanism, the counter units and the resetting and shutter operating mechanism therefor, certain parts of the counter units being broken away to facilitate illustration;l

Fig. 7 is a sectional View on line 'l-l of Figure 1, showing the brake and clutch mechanism in side elevation in the position thereof occupied thereby during counting;

Fig. 8 is a sectional view on line 8-8 of Figure 1 and showing in vertical section the mechanism shown in Figure 7;

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Figure 7, but showing the brake and clutch mechanism in the position y thereof occupied during resetting;

Fig. 10 is a simplied view of the gearing included in the resetting train fon the several counters, the view being taken on line lll-I0 of Figure 2 and the other mechanism being omitted to facilitate illustration;

Figfll is a view substantially on line Il-II oi Figure 1, showing the counter units in plan,

the controlling mechanism being omitted to facilitate illustration;

Fig. 12 is a perspective View of one of the right hand counter units, herein a cost counter unit; Fig. 13 is a like perspective view of one of the left hand counter units, also a cost counter unit; Fig. 14 is a detail perspective view of the clutch and brake operating bell cranir and its connections;

Fig. l5 is a detail perspective view of the stop block engaging rebound preventing mechanism;

Fig. i6 is a partial vertical sectional view of one of the counter units when mounted on the trarne;

Fig. i7 is a sectional view on line illil of Figure id;

it is a sectional view on line lil-i@ oi Figure i6;

Fig. i9 is a sectional view on line ile-iii of Figure ld;

Fig. 2li is a simplified front elevation oi a modiiied form oi controlling and shutter operating mechanism, the shutters operated thereby being in open position; r

big. 2i is a top plan view of the mechanism shown in Figure 2li, and

Fig. 22 is a view similar to Figure 2li, but showing the mechanism thereof in a different position, with the shutters in closed position, the quantity counters being omitted to facilitate illustration.

In th illustrative embodiments nof the invention, it will be noted that the counter construction is shown without a variator, the present improvements being confined to the counter mechanism. llt will, however, be understood that in use, the cost computing counters are operatively connected to a variator, and that the quantity or gallon counters are driven from a meter, while the counter cooperates with and controls the drives of both during resetting to insure an accurate count and agreement between the cost and quantity counters, all in a usual manner in this art.

In the form of my invention illustrated in Figures l to i9, it will be noted that the counter mechanism is mounted on an upright frame member i having a reset operating shaft 2 projecting from what will hereinafter be referred to as the front face thereof, a usual operating connection 3 being provided on one or both ends of this shaft. Herein, also, it will be noted that counter suits, removable as complete entities and generally indicatedat 4 and 5, are carried on the back face of the frame member Yi, the cost, or.

' upper, counter units being indicated at 4 and the quantity or gallon units, or lower, being indicated at 5. Of these, the cost counter units are driven from a variator (not shown) through improved driving connections including a shaft 6, and hereafter described, while the quantity counter units b are driven from a meter (not shown) through improved driving connections including a shaft l and also hereinafter described. Further, it will be understood that both sets of counters l and 5 are reset by rotation of the reset shaft 2 through improved controlling and operating mechanism, hereinafter described, and that shutters 0l', 5', carried on the cost and quantity counter units, respectively, are also controlled and operated by the controlling and operating mechanism mentioned.

Referring more particularly to the cost counter drive, which is operative during counting, note that the variator driven shaft 6 extends upward above the variator and between the sets of vright and left hand units 4, 5, and near the rear ends thereof. The upper end of this shaft 8 is journaled in an arm IU projecting rearwardly from a narrow, centrally located auxiliary frame member Il, likewise upstanding and disposed on a. suitable support (not shown) in rear of the main connected, respectively, between the frame i and v oppositely laterally extending arms it and i5 on the frame it and located substantially midway between the ends or the latter. Further, it will be noted that the shaft ii is connected by beveled gearing it, beneath the arm iii, with a transverse counter driving shaft i8, journaled at it and 2@ in the frame members ii and i, as shown in Figure 8. Further, on this shaft i8, a suitable clutch connection is provided which controls the connection between the shaft it and the counting mechanisms in both of the cost counter units Il; the construction being such that these counting mechanismsare driven from the shaft i@ during counting and disconnected from this shaft during resetting, as hereinafter described. This clutch comprises cooperating elements 2i and herein friction elements, of which the member 2i is iixed to the shaft iii at 23, while the member 22 is freely rotatable on that .shaft and provided with a spring pressed shipper collar` 2li, abutting the member 22 during counting under action of a coiled spring 25 on the shaft iii and which acts between a nange on the collar., 2t and an abutnient collar 2t xed at 2l to the shaft it, just inside the bearing i9. Thus, the construction is such that the clutch elements 2i, 22 are normally connected during counting, and during resetting permitted to separate, by shifting the shipper 2t to the right, as shown in Figure 9. Here it will also be noted that the clutch element 22 is prohand cost counter unit 4, in such manner as to drive this counter in a well known manner whenever the clutch elements 2l, 22 are connected. The other smaller gear 29 on the clutch element 22, in turn, meshes with an intermediate gear 33 xed to a shaft 34 parallel to the shaft i8, which shaft 34 is suitably journaled at its front and rear ends in bearings 35i on the opposite ends of the right hand cost counter unit 6, and also has a gear 36 on its rear end meshing with a driving gear 3'! for the counting mechanism of that counter unit. Here it will also be noted that, While the gear 29 is smaller than the gear 28, the gear ratios between the gears 22 and 32 and the gears 29 and 3l are such that the number wheels of both counter units l are driven at the same speed. Thus, the counting mechanisms of the left and right hand cost counter units t will be driven from the variator through the shaft S whenever the clutch elements 2i, 22 are con nected, i. e. during counting, and this drive will shaft 1, also located between the right and left hand units but in front of the shaft 8, drives the shaft 40 through bevelled gears 4I, this shaft 40 corresponding to the shaft I8 and being located parallel thereto and the same distance below the reset shaft 2 that the shaft I8 is above the latter, and similarly journaled in journals I8', 20 in the frames II and I. Also, the connection of shaft 40 to the counting mechanisms of the quantity counters 5 is controlled through a like clutch comprising elements 42 and 43, These correspond to the elements 2| and 22 heretofore described and are similarly controlled by a shipper 44, corresponding to the shipper 24, a coiled spring 45, corresponding to spring 25, and likewise acting between the shipper 44 and collar 45, fixed to the shaft and corresponding to abutment 26. Here also, gears 41 and 48 are provided on the element 43, corresponding to the gears 28 and 29. Of these, the gear 41 meshes with an intermediate gear 49, corresponding to the gear 30 and similarly mounted and meshing with a driving gear of the counting mechanism of the left hand quantity counterunit 5, while the gear 48 meshes with an intermediate gear 5I carried on a shaft 52 journaled at 53 at the opposite ends of the right hand unit 5 and carrying a gear 54 which meshes with the driving gear 55 of the counting mechanism of that unit. Thus, the counting mechanisms in the left and right hand quantity counter units 5 will also be driven from the meter through the shaft 1 during counting, i. e. when the clutch elements 42, 43 are connected, and have their drives interrupted 'during resetting when these clutch elements are disconnected.

Operatively associated with the cost and quantity controlling shippers 24 and 44, is improved mechanism for disconnecting the clutches and braking the drives of both the cost counters and the quantity counters when the reset shaft 2 is rotated to effect resetting. This mechanism includes a shipper operating member slidable without cramping on the shaft 2 and extending upwardly and downwardly therefrom and provided with bifurcated shipper operating arms 8| on its extremities extending around and engageable with'the usual flanges on the hubs of the shipper members 24, 44 to form yoke connections adapted to move these members 24 `and 44 simultaneously to the right on their shafts I8 and 40" (Fig. 8) whenever the reset shaft 2 is rotated to effect resetting. Herein, this movement is eected through rounded cams 62 provided on the member 60 on opposite sides of the shaft 2 and engageable by cooperating cam members on a forked arm S3 comprising one arm of a bell crank 64. This bell crank is, in turn, fixed to a transverse shaft 55 journaled at its opposite ends at 88 in rearwardly extending projections 61 on the main frame member I, and herein the bell crank is of the built up type and connected by the shaft by having separate arms pinned thereto (see Fig. 14) 'I'he rearwardly extending arm of the bell crank 84 is also connected through an upwardly extending link or rod 68 which at its upper end is pivotally connected to an arm 69 extending parallel to the shaft 65 and fixed :to a brake and clutch operating shaft 10. This `shaft 10 is journaled at its rear end at 1I at the top of the auxiliary frame II and journaled at its front end at 12 in the main frame I, while the front end of the shaft projects through the latter frame and is connected to controlling and operating mechanism operative during resetting and hereinafter described. Thus, when the shaft 10 is rotated to lift the arm 69, the bell crank 64 will be pulled upward about its axis 85, in such manner as to cause its cam carrying arms 63 to engage the cams 62 on the clutch shipper operating member 60, and thereby move the latter member rearwardly longitudinally of the shaft 2 to reciprocate the shippers 24 and 44 rearwardly on their shafts I8 and 40, respectively, to elements 22 and 43 and thereby free the latter for rotation .during resetting, relative to their cooperating clutch elements 2 I 42.

Here attention is also particularly directed to the fact that before clutch elements 22 and 43 of the cost and quantity counter drive clutches are disconnected from their cooperating elements 2I and 42, the drives for both elements 22 and 43 are simultaneously braked. This isu due to the fact that the shafts I8 and 40 are slightly shiftable longitudinally in their bearings, and the further fact that, as the shippers 24 and 44 are moved rearward by the member 60, the springs 25 and 45 are compressed against the abutment collars 26 and 46 fixed to the shafts I8 and 40, in such manner that these collars move with the shafts and press against their adjacent journal portions I9, I9' on the frame Il in such manner as to provide a simple yet very effective brake. Accordingly, it will be noted that, although the clutch elements 22 and 43 are thus freed by their disconnection from the elements 2| and 42, in such manner as to permit rotation during resetting of the gears. 28, 28 and 41, 48, which are connected to the several counter driving gears as heretofore described, the shafts I8 and 40 are braked in such manner as to prevent their rotation with the elements 22 and 43. Accordingly, rotation of these shafts I8 and 40 in such manner as to insert backlash in the drives of the several counters 4, 5, and backlash which would have to be taken up in the next counting operation, and thereby inject error into the next counting operation, is eiectually prevented. Further, it will be noted that while the drives are thus braked, the rotatable clutch elements 22, 43 are left entirely free as shown in Figure 9 so as to reduce theload on the shaft 2 and the consequent eiort required of the operator during resetting; the shipper members 24, 44 then having their hubs moved out of contact with vthe hubs of the clutch elements 22, 43 by the same movement which shifts the shafts I8, 40 longitudinally to cause the collars 26, 46 to move into braking engagement with the frame. will further be noted that these collars provide a substantial area in contact with 'the ends of the journals I9, I9' in braking position, in such manner as to provide an eifective braking action under the action of their springs 25, 45.

Cooperating with the clutch shipper and brake applying mechanism just described, is improved controlling mechanism. This mechanism is of the general type described and claimed in my previously mentioned application Serial No. 132,275, and likewise located in the same position, i. e. on the outside or front face of the frame, herein the upstanding frame member I. Thus, at this point, it is suiicient to state that this control mechanism includes a cam member 13 adapted to be rotated about a pivot 14 from the position shown in Figure l to the position shown in Figure 5 at the beginning of resetting, and having means for causing it to remain in the latter position during the remainderof .the resetting operation of the reset shaft 2, and then to u vspring l connected between the frame i and an extension l@ on the upper end oi this cam member. Here, however, it will be noted that a clutch and brake operating arm lil is provided which has a collar la nxed to the front end of the shaft lil which protrudes through the frame i, this arm lll also having a forwardly extending pin 'i9 on its free end which is adapted to be disposed during counting in a notch il@ in the cam member 'i3 and to ride out of the notch and to be cammed out of the same by a cam suriace 8i. Thus, as the member i3 starts to move at the beginning of resetting, from the position shown in Figure l to that shown in Figure 5, this pin l@ moves out of the notch il@ and during the remainder oi resetting rests on a dwell surface @i on the edge of the member "i3, as shown in the latter iigure. llt will accordingly be clear that the clutch elements 22 and d3 for both the cost and quantity counters will be disconnected,

and that the variator and meter driven drives will be bralred by the collars 2G and llt, both immediately following the initiation of resetting, and that the parts will be held in these positions during the remainder of resetting and until, through mechanism hereinafter described, the ,cam member i3 is moved reversely to permit the pin lil to reenter the notch itil, which return occurs after the counter wheels have been returned to zero and at the end of the operation of the controlling mechanism including the cam member 53. This controlling mechanism, since it is essentially similar to that in my previously mentioned application, need not be specincally described herein. llt should, however, be noted that while the member lil is of somewhat different shape from that in that application, and, although the same in both its counting and resetting positions is disposed at slightly more of an angle to the left than as previously shown, the function of this cam member is essentially similar to that previously described. The pin 83 therein and the cam surfaces 8d, 35 and B6 thereon also similarly cooperate, respectively, with the rotating cam 8l rotatable with the shaft 2 and having the notch 88 therein, and with the' pivoted spring biased latch urfhaving a pin Sli engaging the cams 84, 85, all. lThe same is also true of a pin or projection Si on the latch 8S and which similarly cooperates with a plurality of latch faces S2, B3 on a spring biased'non-return paWl 94, also similar to that previously described. The latter also has arms @En and dii similarly cooperating with the ratchet member Sill, which member 917 is also rotatable with the reset shaft 2 and likewise generally similar in function to the like ratchet member in my previously described mechanism as regards its ratcheting and camming functions, while also having a like pawl 98 adapted to cooperate therewith and with the non-return pawl 9d, as in my prior case. Further, it will be evident that the operation of this control mechanism will be generally similar to that in my previously mentioned application. Thus, it is believed sumcient to say that undesirable reversals of the reset operating shaft 2 during resetting are thereby prevented,y while requiring the latter shaft to be rotated through more than a complete revolution to eiect resetting and obtaining initial and final 45 movements of the counter reset shafts, all in such manner as to insure the return of all wheels of the units l, 5 to zero position, herein through an arcaico improved reset driving train connected between the shaft 2 andthe several counter mechanisms.

This improved reset operating train is herein disposed between the fraaie [l andthe counter driving trains which are operative during counto ing, andcarried on the rear face of the frame i. As shown, herein each counter mechanism in the several units d and comprises a plurality oi operatively connected counter wheels having a coaxially disposed reset operating shaft itil pro-h lo vided with a usual resetting groove ibi and adapted to cooperate with usual spring pressed pawls [1@2 in the several counter wheel units. Further, it will be noted that the iront ends of the several shafts lli@ in the cost counters, have lll resetting gears Mii! hired thereto, while the like ends of the resetting shafts lil@ in the quantity counters have gears ldd connected thereto, while all of these gears are rotated from a gear idd fixed to and rotatable with the reset shait 2. 2@

rotate the several gears itil and @uit and thereby so rotate the several resetting shafts lil@ to bring all of the number wheels baclr'to their zero positions in a well known manner. Further, it will be evident that, as in my application mentioned,

I also obtain through the controlling mechanism V3g; above described and the action of the spring 'l5 on the c'am member lha final reverse rotation of the several shafts E00 through an angle of i5", in such manner as to insure the return of all of is rotated, and while the clutch gli the counter wheels to their zero positions as a 40 result of a single resetting operation of the shaft 2." l

operatively associated with this resetting mechanism is alsou means cooperating with the driving and resetting trains of the several counters for preventing overthrow of the counter Wheels when the same are returned to zero. This mechanism also is generally of the construction described and claimed in my above mentioned applications in that it includes counter overthrow v stopping blocks and a swinging cooperating stop arm movable in timed relation withA the resetting mechanism and into the paths of these blocksgto stop the lowest order wheel of each counting mechanism in zero position. However, herein l these blocks, shown at lill, are provided on the gears 28 and dl, which gears are herein carried on the clutch members 22 and d3 and form a part of the counterwheel drives during counting and also are rotatable with these clutch elements e@ relative to the shafts i8 and t!! and the clutch elements 2l, 42, during resetting. Herein, moreover, it will be noted that these blocks are 1ocated in a diilerent position, i. e. on the front faces of the gears 28, 6l and just outside the outer 65 periphery of the cooperating clutch elements 2|, 42. As heretofore, I also provide a swinging block engaging arm IH, herein adapted to cooperate with the blocks HU on both igears 28, 41 and' journaled on the reset shaft 2 on a rotating col- 70 lar H2 between a collar ii 3, fixed to the shaft and having nxed thereto the gear l05, and a collar Ill fixed to the shaft Z and disposed between the arm III and the reciprocable clutch operating member vG0. Also, as in my previous application Serial No. 132,275, I provide a pin ||5 on the upper arm of the member and received in a slot ||5 in a link which link is pivoted at ||3 on the arm 95 of the non-return pawl 94 and has a coiled spring ||3 connected between the pin ||5 and the pivot H8. Thus, it is possible to actuate the swinging arm I to cause it to move into the path of the blocks H0, and thereby stop vthe counter resetting trains through stopping the gears 23, 4'| which are geared to the lowest order number wheels of the several mechanisms, the member also being thrown out of the path of the blocks in the same manner.

as described in my above mentioned application.

Operatively associated with the above described mechanism is also improved mechanism for preventing rebound of the gears 23, 41 carrying the blocks ||0, which might otherwise occr during resetting rapidly. This mechanism includes rebound controlling means associated with the block engaging arm and operative to engage the blocks ||0 on the opposite side of the latter from the member |I|. Herein, these means are in the form of a swinging lever pivoted on the shaft 2 and lying next the arm and provided with offset block engaging hooked ends |2| which lie in the plane of the member I I I and herein are suitably carried on the member |20l in such manner as to engage the edges |22 of the blocks when the ends of the arm I I I engage the opposite edges |23 of the blocks. Further, it will be noted that this rebound con/trolling member |20@ is herein provided with an extension |24 between its pivot and its upper end I 2|, which extension is connected by a coiled spi-ing |25 to any suitably 1ocated abutment, herein the shaft carrying the gear 30. As a result of this construction, the ends |2| on the member |20 will normally ride on the periphery of the clutch elements 2|, 42 during counting, the blocks ||0 then forcing these ends out of their path as the connected clutch rotates.

When, however, the clutch elements 22, 43, carrying the blocks ||0, are rotated in the same direction during resetting, the blocks I I0, after forcing out the ends |2|, have their surfaces |23 engage the ends of the arm I thereby stopping the blocks. Thereupon the spring |25, which is then under tension, snaps the hooked ends' |2| back into engagement with the faces |22 of the blocks I0 in such manner as to cooperate with the member in securely holding the blocks ||0 against movement in either direction until the arm I I is thrown out by the link at the end of the resetting operation. Moreover, attention is directed to the fact that even after the arm is thus disengaged from the block surfaces |23, the

ends |2I cooperate to hold the blocks I I0 against reverse movement, although the blocks may then 'at any time resume rotation when counting is resumed.

Thecounting mechanisms on the several units 4 and 5, shown in Figures 16 to 19, are also provided with means for preventing the overthrow of units, so that a detailed description is unnecessary and a showing of one will sumce for all. Referring to Figure 16, it will be evident that the lowest order wheel |32 thereof will be stopped .by

. the controlling mechanism for the block ||0 just described and including the member and hooked ends I2I, acting on the driving train of this gear. Further, it will be noted that the wheel |32 carries a two toothed gear |33 on its opposite face adapted to cooperate with a spring pressed pawl |34 carried on the next higher order unit. with the pawl abutting against a projection |35 on the wheelV |32 in such manner as to cause the wheel 3| to stop in its zero position when this pawl engages this projection. Thus, with the pawl |34 carried on a plate |35 keyed tothe sleeve |31 of the unit 3|, the latter unit is positively stopped in zero position, while, a similar mechanism being provided between the unit |3| and the next higher order unit |30, thelatter unit will also be stopped in zero position. Here also it will be understood that each of the units is of a usual construction having a slot |38 in its sleeve |31 and a spring pressed pawl |02' movable through this slot into the groove |0| in the reset shaft |00, while a usual clutch mechanism, including 'a toothed ratchet member |40 acted upon by a plurality of spring pressed pawls |f4| in a usual manner, is also provided on each lof the units |30 and |3| and acts to connect the twenty toothed driving gears |42 to the number wheels. Here attention is, however, directed to the fact that, as distinguished from the external transfer counting mechanisms shown in my prior applications, the transfer mechanism herein is of the internal transfer pinion type and of the general construction described and claimed in the Spaunburg application, Serial No. 148,719, filed herewith, with transfer pinions |43 mounted on upstanding partition carrying members or plates |44, herein suitably apertured at their opposite yends at |45, and mounted and positioned by means Herein, cap screws |53 are extended through the frame and are connected to the front ends of the bolts |52 by spacer nuts or sleeves hereafter described. As shown, these cap screws are removable from the front of the frame I to permit the counter unit to be removed rearwardly as an entirety upon removal of these screws, while nuts |54 are also provided on the opposite ends of the bolts to permit access to the counter wheels upon removal of the end plates |5|. Herein, spacer nuts or sleeves |55, into which the bolts |52 and cap screws |53 are threaded from opposite ends, are also provided between the front end plate and the frame to space the unit rearwardly from the frame while also permitting lateral removal of the unit if desired, while providing space for the reset driving gear of the unit, shown for example in Figure 16, as the gear |03, which gear is fixed to the shaft |00 by usual adjusting means |55. Here it will also be noted that the number Wheels |30, |3|, Y|32 are enclosed in and protected by a casing |51, herein in the form of a single casing member of sheet metal open at each end and tting on the end plates |50, |5|. As shown, the end edges of the casing |5'l are positioned in kerfs |53 formed on the outer corners of the end plates |50, |5| and the casing is provided with curved portions |59 received in thesckerfs and definitely positioned thereby and extending in opposite directions down to a window i6@ in the form of a longitudinal slot between the portions ld, while the remainder of the casing is of substantially rectangular cross section. On the tops and bottoms of the casing, the latter is also provided with projections IBI received in slots iti in the end members ISI), I5! and the back of the casing is also provided with cutaway portions 062 through which the intermediate drive gears may extend. Here also note that on the right hand cost and quantity units 4, 5, one of which is shown in Figure 12, bearings 35, 53 for the shafts 3d, 52 carrying the intermediate gears, are provided on the end plates H50, i5i of said units, while on the left unit of each set, one of which is shown in Fig. 13, a cut-away portion i553 is provided in the end plate ll to receive the support for the intermediate gears Sii; 49. It will also be observed that a pair of oost counter units,

shown in Figs. l2 and 13, is provided, of which the right hand unit carries the shaft 34 and the intermediate gears (i3, 365 so that these gears and shaft are removable with the unit, while the left hand unit has no such gears and shafts connected thereto, the intermediate gears it there being carried by the frame i and remaining upon the latter while the unit is removed. The same is also true of the right and left hand quantity counter units 5, which, apart from the numbering of the wheels, are the same as the cost counter mechanism. .Ali of these units may thus be readily removed bodily by removing the cap screws connecting the several units to the main frame i, whe each also may be readily taken down for access to the counting mechanism therein, by simply removing the rear end plate and removing the casing enclosing the counter wheels.

In my improved construction, each of the units i and 5 also includes a shutter, the shutters for the cost units being indicated at 1i and for the quantity units at 5 (Figure 5). Herein, each of these shutters is in the form of an oscillating shutter pivotally mounted on the reset shaft Miti between the end frames iii, ibi and the end number wheels. In this construction also, means are provided for insuring the operation of these shutters in timed relation to the resetting mechanism, so that, whiie the shutters 6i', 5 are open during counting, the same are closed immediately upon the initiation of resetting and maintained closed until the several counter wheels i3d, iti, E32 have all been returned to zero, whereupon, as the cam member i3 isreturned to its initial position by the spring i5, the shutters are all simultaneously opened. Herein, this mechanism is so associated with the cam member i3, that the several shutters are actuated by this cam member to close at the beginning of resetting and permitted to open as reset shafts 2 and itl@ move through their inal 45 reverse movement at the end of the resetting operation. This actuation and control by the cam member 'i3 is herein obtained by connecting improved shutter operating mechanism to the shaft i@ which actuates the clutch and brake mechanism, and which is, in turn, actuated by the pin 'i9 engaging in the notch Sii in the cam member i3 and riding over the cam surface Si, with lost motion on the dwell surface d2 during the intermediate portions of the resetting operation. More particularly, a shutter operating arm iid is disposed between the train of reset gears, operative during resetting, and the train of counter driving gears, operative during counting, as shown to the shape of the opposite cam surface 8|av which is such as not only to positively release the brake and clutch operating mechanism, but also to move this arm H and the shutters operated thereby, positively into open position. Thus, it is not only possible to use the pin 19 required for the brake and clutch mechanism, but to obtain a positive shutter movement in each direction in such manner as to obviate the need of a spring on the arm Vid. Moreover, it will be observed as a result of this construction, it is made possible to utilize the lost motion connection between the cam member iii and the brake and clutch as a needed lost motion connection between the cam member 'i3 and the shutters, thereby enabling the latter to be operated through their desired short range and also be operated quickly, without l increasing the range of movement thereof despite the long 45 reverse movement of the rotating cam Si.

As illustrated in Figure 5, this shutter operating arm is also connected to the shutters in an improved manner. As shown, the free end of the arm is connected to the left hand cost counter shutter d', herein through a slot l'ii on the extremity of the arm and a pin H3 on an upwardly inclined projection iii on the shutter projecting in back of the shutter pivot. The shutter being disposed inside the end wall of the counter unit, an arcuate slot i'iil is provided in the end wall 'H50 thereof to permit opening and closing movement of the shutter as the pin i9 moves as previously described in connection with the operation of the clutch and brake mechanism. Further, the protruding end of the pin itt is connected by a link iN with a similar pin W carried on the shutter 5' of the left hand quantity counter unit, which pin moves through a slot dit corresponding to the slot lli-3 (Figure 6). This lower left hand shutter 5' also is provided with another angularly disposed arm iiti" carrying another pin i'ii moving in a like arcuate slot iid but generally horizontally disposed, whereas the slots i'ii and itt are generally vertically disposed. This pin iii', in turn, is connected through a horizontally disposed link i'iii to a corresponding pin it@ moving through a corresponding slot it and carried on a like projection on the right hand quantity counter shutter 5', which is, in turn, also connected to the right hand cost counter shutter by a linlrand pin and slot construction similar to that just described in connection with the left hand shutter operating mechanism. Thus, it will be evident that the operating means for both sets of shutters li', t' will be simultaneously operated by the same mechanism which operates the clutch and brake mechanisms, so that the shutters will be positively closed at the beginning of the resetting operation and openable only at the end of the resetting operation, i. e. when the cam member iii is returned to its initial position by the spring '1?5. Attention is further directed to the fact that, while the several pins and linlrs are connected by cotter pins liti?, the construction is such as to permit the several counter units 4 and 5 to be removed from the frame as units, upon merely withdrawing these cotter pins.

In Figures 2O to 22, I have shown a modiiied form of controlling and shutter operating mechanism which, while not preferred, may be used under certain conditions. In this construction, I have shown the shutter operating mechanism applied to a control mechanism of the general type described and claimed in my application Serial No. 716,696, but including certain of the improvements of the control mechanism describedand claimed in my other application Serial No.:

132,275. Here also it will be noted that the control mechanism and the shutter operating mechanism are shown in connection with a counting device of the type illustrated in the above mentioned applications rather than of the construction illustrated herein. Further, the structure has been illustrated in simplified form, only the control and shutter operating mechanism being shown, the several drives operating during counting and resetting being omitted to facilitate illustration.

As shown in these figures, a member |90 carried on the reset shaft |9| is operated in the usual manner and provided with a cooperating hold.- ing or non-return pawl |92 and a notch |93 adapted to cooperate with a pin |94 so that this pin will move out of the notch |93 at the beginning of resetting and travel around the periphery |95 of the member |90 during resetting and re-enter this notch when the cam has been moved through a complete resetting movement, mechanism also being provided for then moving the parts reversely through an additional 45 degrees, as described in my application Serial No. 132,275. As in my previous constructions mentioned, the cam member |90 is provided with a cam shoulder |96 and a ratchet shoulder |91 connected by a smooth peripheral portion |98 of reduced diameter, all of these being inwardly spaced from the periphery of the member |90. Herein, the pin |94 is carried on a member |94a of generally bell crank shape, rotatable on a stud |99 disposed above the resetting shaft |9|. Further, as in the construction of my application Serial No.

716,696, a controlling cam member 200 is pivoted at 20| on the frame and provided with a hook 202 controlling a pin 203 on the block controlling swinging arm 204, corresponding to the arm hereinabove described. I'his controlling cam member 200 is provided on its right hand end with a tail 204 adapted to be kicked out by the cam |96, and is also provided on its opposite end with a projection 205 adapted to engage the cam |96 after the tail 204 has been kicked out by that cam.

Here also it will be noted that-a pivoted latch member 206 is pivoted at 201 on the frame above and to the left of the pivot 20|, corresponding to the rebound preventing means heretofore described. This latch member has one arm extending laterally in such manner as to bias the latch by gravity to the position shown in Figure 22. It also has a tail 209 adapted to engage an abutment portion 2|0 on the left hand side of the lower arm of the member |94a, so that, as shown in Figure 22, as the pin 94 leaves the notch |93 and rides over the periphery |95 of the member |90, the hooked end 206 drops down by gravity to the position shown in Figure 22, wherein it prevents the escape of the pin 203, in such manner as to prevent a reverse movement I of that member and of the swinging arm 204 type and also pivoted onthe stud |99.

a lateral extension on the lower arm of the bell crank member |94a, which pin is adapted to engage the upper surface of the tail 204 on the member 200 and thereby force the latter down when the pin |94 re-enters the notch |93, whereupon the pin 203 and the connected swinging block engaging arm 204, are actuated in such manner as to move the latter out of the path of the blocks and therefore condition the mechanism for resumption of counting. Here also a coiled spring 2| 2 is connected to an upstanding projection on the upper arm of the bell crank member |94a and to a xed point on the frame, in such manner as to be tensioned during resetting and, accordingly, to return the parts to their initial position at the completion of resetting, by moving the member |94a reversely through 45 in a known manner. It will be noted, however, that in this construction, as in that described in my application Serial No. 132,275, the reverse movement of the member |90 is through an angle of 45", so that the advantages of such an increased range of movement described and claimed in my application Serial No. 132,275, are obtained herein.

Herein, note also that the tail 204 on the cam member 200 is herein provided with a depending link connection 2|3 connected through a slot and pin connection 2|4 with a bell crank latch 2|5, biased by a spring 2|6 and adapted to be thrown by this spring into engagement with a notch 2|1 on the pawl |92 to hold the latter out of engagement with the ratchet abutment |91. This holding out occurs while the parts are being moved by the spring 2|2 through the nal 45 reverse movement, whereupon the link 2|3 is then lowered by the tail 204 to kick out the latch 2|5 and release the pawl |92 for engagement with the abutment |91. Thus, although `the pawl I 92 functions as heretofore to prevent reverse rotation of the reset shaft immediately following the beginning of resetting, i. e. immediately upon movement of the member |90 out of the position shown in Figure 20, this pawl |92 is held out of its holding position during the 45 reverse rotation of the parts, and only permitted to return to its normal position during counting, shown in Figure 20, at the end of this reverse movement.

operatively connected in this control mechanism is also improved shutter operating mechanism generally similar to that heretofore described herein. This mechanism is controlled and actuated by the bell crank member or cam |94a and includes an elongated notch 220 on the left hand edge of the upper arm of that member. This notch provides abutments 22| and 222 at the opposite edges thereof and these are adapted to cooperate with a pin 223 projecting into the notch from a shutter operating member 224, which is of what may be called a walking beam Herein, this member 224 has one of its ends pivotally connected at 225 to a depending link 226 which is, in turn, pivotally connected at 221 to a back- Wardly extending arm 228 on the lower quantity counter shutter 229. Further, this arm 228 is connected between the shutter pivot 230 and the pin 221, b y a pin 23| to an upwardly extending link 232 which is pivoted at 233 to the upper cost counter shutter 234, in turn, pivoted at 235. Similarly, the other end of the Walking beam member 224 is connected through a separable' longitudinal slot and pin connection 236 with a backwardly extending arm 231 on the upper of operatively connected number wheels, a driving train therefor, resetting mechanism therefor including means forstopping anV element in said driving train, and means for preventing rebounding of said element upon engagement with said stopping means.

5. In combination, a counter having a plurality of operatively connected number wheels, a driving train therefor, resetting mechanism therefor including means for stopping an element in` said driving train, and means for preventing rebounding of said element upon engagement with said stopping means, said stopping means including an abutment on said element and a cooperating movable abutment controlled by said resetting mechanism and said rebound preventing means likewise engaging said abutment.

6. In combination, a counter having a plurality of operatively connected number wheels, a driving train therefor, resetting mechanism therefor including means for stopping an element in said driving train, and means for preventing rebounding of said element upon engagement with said stopping means, said stopping means including an abutment on said element and a cooperating movable abutment controlled by said resetting mechanism and said rebound preventing means likewise engaging said abutment, and means for releasing said stopping means while retaining said rebound preventing means in operation.

7. In combination, a counter having a plurality of operatively connected number wheels, a driving train therefor, resetting mechanism therefor including means for stopping an element in said driving train, and means for preventing rebounding of said elementl upon engagement with said stopping means, said element having an abutment thereon and said stopping means and re bound preventing means engaging opposite faces of said abutment..

driving train, and means for preventing rebounding of said element upon engagement with said stopping means, said resetting means including a resetting shaft and said stopping means and rebound preventing means both being rotatable about the axis--of said shaft.

9. In combination, a counter having a plurality of operatively connected number wheels, a driving train therefor including an abutment carrying element, resetting mechanism therefor including means engaging said abutment to stop said element, and means for preventing rebounding of said element including a rotating abutment, said stopping means including a swinging stop arm engageable with said abutment and said rebound preventing means having an abutment engaging latch portion extending beyond the end of said arm and biased to abutment engaging position.

10. In combination, a counter having a plurality of operatively connected number wheels, a drivingtrain therefor including an abutment carrying element, resetting mechanism having means for stopping said element in the zero position of the wheels, means for preventing rebound of said element when stopped, and means operative by said resetting mechanism for braking said drive and releasing the same while said rebound preventing means continues to operate.

11. In combination, a counter having a plurality of operatively connected number wheels, a .drive train including a clutch having driving and driven elements, resetting mechanism including a reset shaft extending axially of said wheels and means for rotating said shaft reversely at the completion of resetting through an angle at least equal to that subtending each number space on said wheels, and means operative by said resetting mechanism for brakingthe driving element lof said clutch and disconnecting the elements thereof during resetting and operative to reconnect said clutch and release said brake upon completion of said reverse movement of said shaft.

EDWARD A. SLYE. 

